





^ v"^ 






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THE DESTINY 



OF THE 



American Negro 



OR 



As An Eagle Stirreth Up 

Her Nest. 



BY 



LUCIUS L. GANT. 



DEC 3U 1920 






g)CI.A604815 






/-.^f^ 



'"'Vi o / 



Copyrighted, 1920, 
By Lucius L. Gant. 



PREFACE. 

In presenting this work to the 14,000,000 of my people, 
I have purposely avoided long-winded historical sketches 
and tiresome statistics, and have striven to express my 
thoughts as briefly as would give a comprehensive knowl- 
edge of the subject in hand. I have endeavored to come 
before you as though we were standing face to face discuss- 
ing questions of mutual interest, matters which vitally 
affect us all. I have found it necessary at intervals to 
state some very painful truths; but, even so, they are so 
based on the evidence in the case, and are so essential to 
the ends in view, that I cannot see how any intelligent, 
fair-minded person, white or black, could possibly take ex- 
ceptions. I lay no claims to having made any new or start- 
ling discovery in the field of thought, but only submit my 
deductions, with the hope that they, in connection with 
the teachings of others, may strike a responsive chord in 
the breast of all worthy Negroes, giving a clearer concep- 
tion of our duties and responsibilities, a stronger realiza- 
tion of our latent power, and a brighter vision of our fu- 
ture possibilities. 

The Author. 



INDEX. 



CHAPTER III. 



CHAPTED IV. 



CHAPTER V. 



CHAPTER VI. 



CHAPTER VII. 



Page 

CHAPTER I. WHY THE NEGRO _ 11 

CHAPTER II. THE EAGLE AND HER NEST 19 

HE FOUND HIM IN A DESERT 
LAND, AND IN THE WASTE HOWLr- 

ING WILDERNESS __ __..23 

HE LED HIM ABOUT; HE IN- 
STRUCTED HIM __ 27 

HE KEPT HIM AS THE APPLE OF 

HIS EYE _ __31 

AS AN EAGLE STIRRETH UP 

HER NEST __ 33 

FLUTTERETH OVER HER YOUNG 37 

CHAPTER VIII. SPREADETH ABROAD HER 

WINGS, TAKETH THEM, BEARETH 

THEM __ - 39 

SO THE LORD ALONE DID LEAD 
HIM, AND THERE WAS NO 

STRANGE GOD WITH HIM __ 43 

TEMPERANCE VS. INTEMPERANCE__47 

ECONOMY VS. EXTRAVAGANCE 51 

KNOWLEDGE VS. IGNORANCE 57 

TRUTH VS. FALSEHOOD 61 

IDEALS — 67 

THE NEGRO'S HEART 73 

THE HOPE OF THE RACE -77 

DEMOCRACY ...— — —82 



CHAPTER IX. 



CHAPTER X. 
CPIAPTER XL 
CHAPTER XII. 
CHAPTER XIII. 
CHAPTER XIV. 
CHAPTER XV. 
CHAPTER XVI 
CHAPTER XVII. 



CHAPTER I. 



WHY THE NEGRO? 

It is remarkable, indeed, that I, of all men, should be 
led, *'as I believe," by the Spirit of God to write this mes- 
sage of hope and inspiration to my people. For as early 
in life as I can remember, I felt that the Negro, "Ishmael- 
like," had his hand against every man (himself included) 
and that every man's hand was against him. I even felt 
that God himself didn't love a Negro as He did other 
races. Consequently by reason of the forces arrayed 
against him, it was impossible for him to rise. 

But after practically a lifetime in the study of God*s 
Word, and thirty years of personal Christian experience, 
years in which I have studied the conditions surrounding 
the rise and fall of nations— years in which I have won- 
dered how, if it was ''the curse of Ham," as has been 
suggested, in the Negro's case, the sins of the fathers upon 
the children unto the third and fourth generation, should 
stretch itself throughout all the ages; years in which I 
have wondered whether his future depended solely on his 

own strength to fight it out; or on the calculating intrigues 

(11) 



12 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

of other races. Or was there some source of justice, or 
fixed rule, that would eliminate every element of chance, 
and give the Negro a man's show? As an epitome of my 
deductions, I must, perforce, conclude that he is not an 
accident, or tool of fate, but a potent factor in the divine 
plans of God. 

Before proceeding with this work, we deem it advisable 
to impress the fact that the Word of God is true — the sun- 
rise, the change of seasons, the movements of comets, con- 
stellations, planets, stars and satellites being only secondary 
to His promises, as spoken by the mouth of His holy proph- 
ets. The rock of Gibraltar, ''whose rugged face has with- 
stood the lashing waves of many centuries, ' ' might crumble 
to dust, but the Word of God shall stand. (Matt. 24: 35.) 
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My word shall not 
pass away." 

We shall proceed, under the stimulus of this assurance, 

to attempt to inspire in some, and intensify in others, a 

hope that will so anchor us to a stern purpose that we will 

no more be found drifting on the waves of chance, but, 

rather, set our faces toward the goal, though we must stem 
the tide; and, with Spartan-like courage and unfaltering 
zeal, proceed under circumstances favorable or adverse to 
attainment. 

We shall attempt in these pages to lay such a concrete 
foundation for the hope of the Negro that no one in this 



The Destiny of the American Negro, 13 

nor the future generations will hesitate to build, resting as- 
sured that honest and persistent effort will finally bring its 
reward. There are those, no doubt, wiio will deplore the 
almost total lack of political agitation in this treatise, and 
while we are keenly alive to the necessity of these rights, 
and are lending our moral and financial support to move- 
ments working to that end, the primaiy object of this work 
is to raise the moral standard of the Negro, to put forth 
the most convincing argument at our connnand, to show 
the urgent necessity of attaining a higher plane of civiliza- 
tion and a purer standard of Christianity, believing that, 
without these vital principles, all of the political agitation, 
or even poltical rights, his heart could desire would fail 
to raise him to any appreciable standard of true greatness. 
There are also those w^ho will see in this a queer admix- 
ture of religion and business. AVell, we are of the opinion 
that both religion and business would be vastly benefited 
if they would cease insisting so strenuously on segregating 
each other. 

If, when the German hordes had overrun Belgium, in- 
vaded France, and were knocking at the gate of fair Paris, 
General Foch found it advisable to spend an hour each 
m^orning and evening on his knees seeking divine guidance, 
it seems to be good reasoning that any people sorely op- 
pressed and discriminated against should accept the sug- 
gestion of this wise and successful general. 



14 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

Right here we in truth must admit there has always been, 
and is at present, a large element of fair-minded white 
people who are spending money, facing social embarrass- 
ment, and doing all in their power to see that the Negro 
gets a fair consideration, for, without their help, it would 
have been utterly impossible for us to have attained any 
way near our present success. But there is also another 
large and determined element of white people who are ex- 
erting every effort to block the Negroes' progress, and see 
that he is hindered at every point. "We are not unmindful 
of one, nor do we condone the other. But, after viewing 
all of the helps, all of the hindrances, and all of the sur- 
rounding circumstances, favorable or adverse, it still re- 
mains for us to put the matter beyond quibble or question, 
to get a clear vision of the possibility of our future success 
or failure and the conditions tending to their attainment. 

Indulge for a moment while we explain the natural dis- 
position of the writer that, aided and guided by the Spirit 
of God, led up to the, to my mind, plausible solution of this 
vexing problem. 

As early as I can remember, I possessed an insatiable 
desire to see into things — natural things then, everything 
later. For instance, Christmas came around annually, as 
at present, and I feel quite certain that I was as proud of 
my toys as any child possibly could be. But after play- 



The Destiny of the American Negro. 15 

ing with them a couple of hours, possibly three, I would 
secure a hatchet and go around behind the house. I wanted 
to see inside of them, and would be sadly disappointed 
to find that those nice little fat horses were only pieces of 
convexed tin fastened together with brads. Other chil- 
dren would often retain their toys until Christmas came 
again. But, alas! for me, my curiosity kept me without 
toys, except about two or three hours during the year. One 
of the happiest days of my youth was when father's watch 
stopped, and he allowed me to take it to pieces, examine, 
clean, and put it together, and it ran ! But do you know 
thks disposition has caused me a deal of sorrow and dis- 
appointment in life? For I've known people to have 
friends, good, bad, and indifferent, year after year, and 
enjoy their companionship immensely. I also have friends 
occasionally, and am as proud of them as a person possibly 
can be. But in the course of time I began to wonder what 
they are like inside, and the investigation so often brings 
sorrow and disappointment. For I find that the majority 
of them, "like those fat little horses," are only an aggre- 
gation of selfish motives held intact by fair words and de- 
ceitful smiles. Even so, I feel compensated for all of the 
anguish of spirit, occasioned by said trait, inasmuch as it 
has caused me to seek diligently for a plausible solution 
of the wherefore of the Negro, from beginning to end. 



16 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

The unprecedented stirring events leading up to and 
culminating in the great world conflict, and the widespread 
social, political and industrial unrest prevalent among the 
nations of the earth, set up an inquiry in our mind as to 
what extent said and past events would affect the Negro. 
Having realized, from the study of the Bible, that nations 
had always, willingly or otherwise, been moved at the be- 
hest of God, and accepting the Bible as a history of his 
dealing with individuals and nations, an expression of His 
will, and a key to his purpose, we, having the past and the 
present of the Negro, felt that a case running parallel 
would unlock his future. 

A summary of the case most admirably adapted for ex- 
pression of the thought we wish to convey is found in Deut. 
32: 10-12: "He found him in a desert land, and in the 
waste howling wilderness ; He led him about, He instructed 
him. He kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle 
stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth 
abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings : 
so the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange 
God with him." 

Moses, the great Hebrew leader, after spending Jprty 
years in the house of Pharaoh, in Egypt, receiving intel- 
lectual training ; fort y years in the land of Midian, as shep- 
herd of Jethro's flock, receiving spiritual and actual tra in- 



The Destiny of the American Negro. 17 

ing in leadership ; and forty years as leader of the Israel- 
ites, having, by the hand of God, accomplished the most 
remarkable feat of leadership the world has ever known^ 
nearing the close of his career, with a view of urging the 
stability of his people, and warning them of the grave dan-> 
bers of idolatry, and the consequences sure to follow, drew 
this wonderful picture. Being a shepherd, it stands to 
reason he would have drawn a similarity from his flock. 
The writer of this article sought a more appropriate me- 
dium of expression; and, having in mind man's intellectual 
supremacy over the lower order of animals, attempted to 
apply his invention, the cradle, but, on account of its rock- 
ing motion, it has a tendency to lull its occupant to sleep, 
and we so often find that they, ''figuratively speaking/' 
sleep on through life. 

''Since you insist on sleeping while others strive to rise; 
Should you eventually wake up, and yawn, and rub your 

When all your opportunities have suffered sad neglect, 
Then poverty in old age is all you can expect." 

Moses, at the time of his call to service, had led the flock 
to the back side of the desert, and came to the mountain 
of God, even Horeb (Ex. 3: 1). Commentators suggest 
that he went there to be alone with God to pray; but we 
believe, and subsequent events justify our belief, that he 



18 The Destiny of the American Negro, 

was simply seeking better, grazing for his flock. For 
throughout his ministry, he showed exceptional devotion to 
duty, no sacrifice being too great for him to make for those 
in his charge, even spurning an offer to become father of 
the race (Deut. 9 : 14), at once showing love for his people 
and loyalty to the interest of his God, being unwilling to 
jeopardize his name among the heathen (Deut. 9: 28). 

The fact that Moses led the sheep to the back side of 
the desert, seeking provender, suggests to my mind that 
present day conditions would be vastly improved if more 
of the pastors would cease leading their flock across the 
fields of glory, and up and down hallelujah lane, and strike 
out into the vast areas of pasturage, as suggested in God's 
Word, where they could feast on thoughts of thrift, econ- 
omy, personal cleanliness, community interests, loyalty to 
country, and love to God and man. 

Far away from the haunts of men, the lonely shepherd 
had, no doubt, often watched the traits of the children of 
nature, ' ' observing, as he did, during his shepherd life the 
characteristics of a vast multitude of the beasts of the 
field and fowls of the air. The eagle presented probably 
the best similarity of God's dealing Avith His people, and, 
feeling that I may not do better, I accept it as sjrmbolic of 
God's dealing with the Negro race. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE EAGLE AND HER NEST. 

The eagle is remarkable for several things — her great 
ize and strength, her wonderful sight, her fleetness and 
ndurance in flight, and her strategy in evading the hunter ; 
)ut we only desire to interest you in the construction of 
ler nest, and the rearing of her young. We suggest that 
roil pay very close attention to the construction, use, and 
ibuse of this nest, as you will possibly glean thoughts other 
;han the ones we disclose. 

She usually seeks the mountain fastnesses, and there 
chooses a ledge of rock from which it is many feet sheer 
lip and down, thereby making it inaccessible to man and 
prowling animals. It is also chosen with a view of being 
sheltered from the worst of the storms. She then gathers 
large branches of the trees and skillfully entwines them 
together, then smaller branches, then twigs and moss, finally 
plucking the down from her own breast. When finished, 
it presents a marvel of strength and comfort, and stands 
as a monument to her skill and ingenuity. It is very nec- 
essary that the nest should be comfortable, for the young 

(19) 



20 The Destiny of the American Negro, 



rn 



eagles are very weak and tender, and as the mother bir 
feeds them from day to day they attain size and som 
measure of strength. But, as essential as the nest was a^J;, 
the beginning, in course of time it becomes filthy and breed 
lice. More than that, while they attain strength up to ji 
certain point, if allowed to remain in the nest it would havtj 
a weakening effect. So as the time for their departure ari 
rives, the old eagle, by instinct, begins to stir up her nesti 
pulling some of the hard sticks up near the surface. Sh 
does not make it uninhabitable at once, but stirs it suffi 
ciently to cause the young ones to move about, seeking mor« 
comfortable quarters. And as, from time to time, she stin 
it a little more, it becomes uncomfortable almost beyonc 
endurance. So, to escape its torture, they get out on the 
ledge, and the exercise increases their strength. During 
this stage of their existence the mother bird, instead oi 
coming directly to the nest after her excursions for food, 
stops in midair, just above them, fluttering her wings, by 
way of instructing them in the art of flght. As they leap 
upon her back, after the manner of the feathered tribe, 
she soars aloft, bearing them on her wings, and they no 
doubt, peering over the edge of their mother's wing, ob- 
serve nature in all of her transient moods — the cataract, 
leaping from crag to crag ; the mighty boulders jutting out 
in bold relief here and there; the giant cedars and other 



The Destiny of the American Negro. 21 

jpecies of the forest, draping the sides of the mountain,, 
md far below, the green meadow, dotted with herds of 
3attle, browsing lazily on the grass, and the charming lake, 
i^ith the sunlight shimmering upon its placid bosom — in 
jhort, a world of vast proportions and transcending beauty. 
Ever and anon the old eagle darts from under the little 
}nes, and, struggle as they might, they would find them- 
selves falling, with the prospect of being dashed to pieces 
Dn the rocks below; but the mother, ever watchful, ever 
ready, goes to their rescue. Naturally she carries them 
back to their home on the ledge. But in that hour was 
born in them a desire to fly — yes, an overwhelming deter- 
mination for the conquest of the air. Why? Because 
aerial conquest is the heritage of the feathered tribe. It 
is, indeed, an unworthy specie even among the lower ani- 
mals that does not seek to realize the highest standard of 
its kind. In man it is no less than criminal. 



CHAPTER III. 



HE FOUND HIM IN A DESERT LAND, AND IN THE 
WASTE HOWLING WILDERNESS. 

An insignificant beginning presents no convincing argu- 
ment why one should remain so. The success of individ- 
uals and races depends largely on their inherent and ac- 
quired characteristics, the intensity of their desire to suc- 
ceed, and the will and power to face difficulties and over- 
come obstacles. ''These qualities about embracing the 
scope of our effort," we can safely leave the rest to him 
that doeth all things well. He found the Negro in a desert- 
land and in the waste howling wilderness; literally, the 
greatest on the face of the earth; figuratively, the desert 
suggests solitude, cut off from the benefits of civilization, 
alone in a wilderness of ignorance and superstition, having 
no art or science, no constructive form of government, no 
language, no religion, no God. The fact is that all of those 
teeming millions in all of that broad expanse of territory 
had but one redeeming asset, and that was a heart. By 
the term ''heart," we do not mean the organ that manip- 
ulates the blood supply ; for he no doubt had other physical 

(23) 



24 The Destiny of the American Negro, 

organs, which performed their duty equally as well — a 
stomach, for instance. But we mean that vital principle 
which raises men above the lower animals — that elusive, 
unnamable quality that forms the very bedrock of his being, 
the seat of emotions. The ancients believed it was his 
bowels; hence, ''his bowels did yearn upon his brother*' 
(Gen. 43 : 30) . The Middle Ages adopted the heart. ''Keep 
thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of 
life" (Prov. 4: 23). The more modern idea accepts the 
mind. "Let this mind also be in you which was in Christ 
Jesus" (Ph. 2:5). It is true that passages containing 
illustration of the progress of this thought are somewhat 
dovetailed in the Bible; but the trend is very apparent to 

the observant eye. 

« 

We make the foregoing explanation so that when 
later v/e shall refer to the Negro 's ' 'heart ' ' you will more 
readily understand the trend of our thought. Scientists 
describe the Negro as having a skin ranging in color 
from copper to ebony, a big mouth, thick lips, thick, flat 
nose, thick, narrow skull, flat, receding forehead, woolly 
or kinky hair, scanty beard, flat chest, flat buttocks, long 
arms, bow legs, flat feet, with long heels; a brain about 
five ounces smaller than the white man's, that is fairly re- 
ceptive, making him an excellent imitator. But in that 
which requires independent thought, they declare he stands 



The Destiny of the American Negro. 25 

on a low stage. The primeval Negro certainly does not 
present a very alluring picture. But his present physical 
and mental development proves conclusively one of two 
things, or both — that there is a master mind and hand, at 
work in his reconstruction, or that he had inherent in him 
a mind far more susceptible to improvement than was sus- 
pected of him, when examined in his raw state, either of 
which speaks volumns for the hope of his continued suc- 
cess. 



CHAPTER IV. 



HE LED HIM ABOUT; HE INSTRUCTED HIM. 

God works in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform. 
He even makes the wrath of men to praise Him. He also 
utilizes their greed and other emotions as agents to accom- 
plish His purpose. 

A bout three^ umlred years ago the prospects of ajlife 
of ease and wealt h caused the settlers to begi n importing 
Negroes to America. These people were just as previously 
stated as they were when found in the wilderness, and being 
unused to the rigors of winter, or the customs of civiliza- 
tion, they were practically helpless, requiring a master 
mind to look after their ever^^ need. 

*'He instructed him." The question naturally arises 
that if God had really chosen him, why didn't he miracu- 
lously instruct him. Well, my observation reveals the fact 
that God usually resorted to miracles to prove his divinity 
to pagan races, where other gods were arrayed against him. 
The miracles in Egypt w^ere to convince Pharaoh; at Mt. 
Carmel, to discredit Baal; in Babylon to confound the 

Chaldeans ; in the time of our Lord to prove His divinity ; 

(27) 



28 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

and in the years immediately succeeding, to establish Chris- 
tianity. Besides, to my mind, there are other and valid 
reasons why God should be conservative in the employ- 
ment of miracles. For miracles of teaching would discour- 
age study, consequently dwarfing the mind and blocking 
the progress of art and science ; miracles of healing would 
encourage intemperance and careless living. Besides, the 
immutable law of the universe decrees that sin shall bring 
its o^vn punishment. But by the indiscriminate use of 
miracles, the reckless youth would plunge into debauchery 
and vice until he was rotten, soul and body, then drag him- 
self to his good old Christian mother, who, under the in- 
fluence of mother love, would lay her hands on him and 
heal him, only to return to his vice as a dog to his vomit, 
or a sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire. 
And God, ''the sovereign of all the universe," by His free 
distribution of power, would have His hands tied and be 
helpless to interfere, unless He'd wipe the world out of 
existence. But God in His superior wisdom instructed 
him in the school of slavery, where, aside from acquiring 
the rudiments of language, industry and religion, he was 
taught by hard experience, ''which in many cases is the 
only teaching that sticks." The advantages of wisdom, 
wealth, and power. He was also taught the virtue of pa- 
tience, being made to realize that true growth is the result 



The Destiny of the American Negro. 29 

of processing. That inasmuch as the giant oak and other 
monarchs of the forest, that spurn the fury of storms and 
defy the ravages of time, attained their status by adding 
annually a layer to its trunk and a cubit to its stature, 
and by piLshing its roots inch by inch in every direction, 
and down into the heart of the earth, forcing them into the 
crevices of rocks and gripping them as security against the 
approach of the storm. So much so must men and nations 
aspiring to greatness, work out their destiny with courage 
and patience. 



CHAPTER V. 



HE KEPT HIM AS THE APPLE OF HIS EYE. 

Despite the handicap of a weak body and inferior brain, 
and his ignorance of hygienic laws, he continued to show 
numerical increase, and proved himself adaptable to all 
climatic conditions, and all of the requirements of civiliza- 
tion. Often in privation and want, being forced to eat 
poor and unwholesome food, live amid squalid and unsan- 
itary surroundings, wear insufficient clothes to protect 
their bodies during the winter seasons, and above all, the 
blighting sense of oppression, and the dismal prospects of 
a future for himself and his children — especially his chil- 
dren, whom he loves the same as other races do theirs — ^he 
remained true to his trust and his God. 

Ex. 3:2: ''And behold, the bush burned with fire, and 
the bush was not consumed," symbolic of a race burning 
in the fire of affliction and bondage, yet not being con- 
sumed, indicating the intervention of the hand of God. 
We call attention to the fact, that it might be worthy of 

more than passing notice. For (Ex. 3: 3) Moses said: **I 

(31) 



32 The Destiny of the American Negro, 

will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bushi 
is not burnt.'* 

Note by contrast the American Indian, who was already 
accustomed to climatic conditions, and who showed no such i 
physical or mental deficiencies as was accredited to the* 
Negro; and yet, in contact with civilization, he is fast be- 
coming extinct, being annihilated by tuberculosis. 



CHAPTER VL 



AS AN EAGLE STIRRETH UP HER NEST. 
As the slaves grew and multiplied, the cotton industry 
assumed definite form, by the invention of the cotton gin, 
and with the prevailing high prices and the possibilities 
presented by the utilization of slave labor. The slave- 
holder's cupidity was aroused, and they began to dream of 
a great empire of unlimited w^ealth. As the ''dream" 
began to be realized, they began to lay heavier burdens on 
the slaves, and to appoint over them hard task-masters, 
** overseers and nigger drivers," who often beat and other- 
wise abused them unnecessarily. Consequently, instead of 
the friendly relation, the "doglike felicity" that had ex- 
isted between master and slave, there grew up an enmity, 
resulting in the slaves frequently running away, going 
North, and as they related their tales of horror and pre- 
sented scars to substantiate them, a feeling of revulsion 
began to form itself in the minds of the more conscientious 
element, causing them to spend vast sums of money and 

perfect elaborate means of escape for the slaves— so much 

(33) 



34 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

so that it was ''dubbed" the underground railway. Moi 
than that, the thought began to take form that the Negr 
must be freed. Abraham Lincoln, when a boy, witnessin 
the horrors of slavery during a trip South, had th: 
thought fixed in his mind, and it grew up a part of hin 
becoming a potent factor in shaping the destiny of on 
people, by tJie part he played in breaking off the shackle 
of bondage. But all of this is history, and the averag 
person is no doubt conversant with the facts surroundin 
these incidents. Suffice it to say that the incidents lead 
ing up to and culminating in the great civil conflict wer 
utilized by the hand of God to accomplish, among othe 
things, our freedom. For inasmuch as it was not good fo 
the young eagles to remain in a nest that was becomin|; 
filthy and breeding lice, so much so was it essential tha 
the Negro be liberated from under the yoke of bondage 
For two hundred and forty years he had been a fledgelinj 
in the nest of slavery, and however necessary it may havt 
been at the beginning, through the course of years it hac 
become loathsome and disgusting. Greed and oppressioi 
had risen up and stank in the nostrils of God. And bj 
reason of their condition and prayers, the Lord said (Ex 
3:7) : **I have surely seen the affliction of my people which 

I 

are in Egypt (bondage), and have heard their cry by 
reason of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. * ' 



The Destiny of the American Negro, 35 

As previously stated, during the years of slavery the 
Negro had acquired the rudiments of industry, language 
and religion, and to have remained in slavery would have 
deprived him of the privilege of developing his knowledge 
of industry along lines co-ordinate with his talents, or of 
improving his language beyond the dialect available to 
chance. But the supreme tragedy of all is, it would have 
caused him to doubt the veracity of the God he had learned 
to love, worship and trust. Consequently the results of 



the stirring events incident to and coincident with the 
great civil warjwasjbo m ake the Neg^o stand on^hi sj^^.1 
There were those, of course, who wept bitter tears on being 
separated from their former masters and being thrown on 
their own resources. While we admit the outlook was in- 
deed bleak and dreary, to be turned adrift with absolutely 
nothing but an appetite, we deplore the fact that there are 
still men who prefer toremain in the n^st^of iadolence and 
allow the lice of ignorance, superstition, poverty and crime 
to sap their God-given power and blight the future... pos- 
sibilities of themselves and their children, rather than stand 
on their feet and exert every effort to soar out into the 
ether of lmawl£dge^in.d£pfin.dfin££..ajid--U§ efulness, thereb y 
assuring a bright future for their children and presenting 



an ideal for those who come within the radius of their in- 
fluence. 



CHAPTER VII. 



FLUTTERETH OVER HER YOUNG. 

^ince the object of this treatise is to create in some, 
and stimulate in other Negroes a desire to soar above his 
present environments, it might be well to call attention to 
one of his characteristic traits, according to science — that 
is, his tendency to imitate — one that has proved his great- 



est blessing, also his greatest cnrse. In the days of slavery, 
when he was under the scourge of a master, he began to 
realize that his master was only a man, and that he was 
all of that himself. But his master's educatio n and 
wealth- had put him in a position to rule, whereas his own 
ignorance and poverty had left him no choice but to serve. 
That his master's wealth made it possible for him to wear 
fine clothes, eat wholesome food, live in respectable houses, 
ride and drive good horses, and educate his children, there- 
by perpetuating his supremacy, whereas his own poverty 
made it necessary for him to eat and wear such as his 
master gave him, which was, as a rule, common and insuf- 
ficient clothes, poor and unwholesome food, a sorry hut 

to live in, and no means bv which to educate his children, 

(37) 



38 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

thereby indicating a future that was indeed dreary. Some 
of them hoarded every penny they could obtain, and bought 
their freedom, and started out, figuratively speaking, to 
take a journey on foot, where other men were going on 
wings. It isn't a very encouraging picture, but it shows 
the indomitable courage inherent in the man. It also shows 
that imitation isn't so bad, after all, whenever it is possible 
to find a worthy example. For we more than half suspect 
that he acquired the major portion of his bad traits by 
imitating other races. * * Imitation ' ' carries our mind back 
to the home on the ledge, and presents the thought that, 
after the nest had been stirred up, and was so uncom- 
fortable as to be practically uninhabitable, the young eagles 
began to sit or stand up, and take notice, and as the mother 
bird fluttered over them, it dawned upon them that their 
own inability to fly made it necessary for them to stand 
around on the bare ledge and shiver in the cold, cruel 
dawn, and eat such as the old eagle brought, which left 
them in a state of perpetual hunger. Consequently he 
began to flap his little wings. Of course, he couldn't fly; 
but the desire fixed his determination and the exercise gave 
him strength. 



CHAPTER VIII 



SPREADETH ABROAD HER WINGS, TAKETH 
THEM, BEARETH THEM. 

One of the bloodiest wars in history gave the Negro his 
freedom; one of the bitterest political eras in history gave 
him the ballot. And since there was considerable enmity 
between the opposing factions, it stands to reason that the 
Negro would often be used by the stronger faction as a 
medium of revenge, and no doubt some of his rights and 
positions were given him solely for that purpose. Be that 
as it may, the fact remains that he was the innocent cause 
of many a bloody and bitter conflict, which, through abso- 
lutely no fault of his own, brought upon him a storm of 
prejudice. And after a few years of the most shameful 
and disgusting uses to which a nation's franchise could 
be put, it was taken from him by state rights — years in 
which he had bee n ku klux ed, brow-beaten and what not; 
yearsljtt which he had through ignorance often sold his vote 
for a song, a few paltry dollars appealing to him more 
than the future of his race. Quite often in those days, a 

candidate with an ample supply of bad whisky and worse 

(39) 



r 



40 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

cigars, a few dollars and a smooth tongue, but absolutely 
no pinciple would sweep the community off its feet and 
go in office by a landslide ; while a conscientious opponent,; 
who did not resort to such means, but simply ran on his 
merits, would be buried under an avalanche. 

It has been asserted by some of our ablest speakers and 
writers that it was a serious mistake to have given the 
Negro the ballot, and to have put him in exalted positions 
— that he should have been first educated and thoroughly 
instructed in the use and abuse of his franchise, all of 
which seems reasonably true. But while they seemed only 
to have seen the tragedy of it, I see the hand of God. For, 
although the experiment proved a failure — ''absolute, mir-' 
erable failure" — in that period was born in him a deter- 
mination to prepare himself for the duties and responsi- 
bilities of citizenship. The incident carries our minds back | 
to the home on the ledge. When the old eagle had carried 
her brood out to view a world vast in scope and radiant in 
splendor, and then back to the existence on the bare rock, 
they were made cognizant of two things — their own weak- 
ness and the advantage of power. 

The Negro's political rise showed him the advantage of 
power, while his fall emphasized his weakness and short- 
comings. Being naturally energetic and aspiring, he set | 
about to rem.edy his defects and right his v/rongs. 



The Destiny of the American Negro. 41 

We simply invite you to scan his history, and note his 

present progress along all lines, and decide for yourself 
whether or not the experiment has proven a success. 



CHAPTER IX. 



so THE LORD ALONE DID LEAD HIM, AND THERE 
WAS NO STRANGE GOD WITH HIM. 

The argmnent naturally arises, that this picture was 
'drawn by Moses to magnify God's choice of Israel. 
Conceded; but it does establish the fact that the rise 
and fall of nations is not consummated by chance, but 
is under the direct supervision of the hand of 
God; and to my mind it substantiates the reason- 
ing that he would employ the same method, to elevate 
other races, and prepare them for effective service. 
It also establishes the fact that God chooses people, not for 
their abilities, but their possibilities; not on their face 
value, but on their inherent qualities; not on account of 
their exalted ideas, but for the flexibility of their will — a 
will that may be blended with His own, thereby absorbing 
its strength from an unerring, inexhaustible and unques- 
tioned source. It might be further argued that God has no 
special choice from a racial standpoint. Conceded ; but He 
does endow certain races with special traits, which, prop- 
erly developed, would constitute a choice. He then, 



Tl 



44 The Destiny of the American Negro, 

through his wonderful providence, secures for them an oj 
portunity for development, leaving entirely to their ow 
minds whether or not they care to be His choice. Tt, , 
Negro's religious tendencies present a strong argument il 
his favor. Of course, his religion is to a great extent art 



en 



ficial; yet the fact remains that the tendency does exis 
and only requires honest, all-around development. 

*' After viewing the hand of God in the affairs of mei 
and the natural qualifications, and past and present deve 
opment of my people,*' I see the promise of a brighter fi 
ture. But remember, God has issued his ultimatum in 
Sam. 2 : 30 : ^ ' Them that honor Me I will honor, and thei 
that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed." And in Proi 
14: 34: ''Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a re 
proach to any people. ' ' 

So, accepting His word as a medium of prophecy, I de! 
clare unto you that except ye have inoculated in you th! 
principles of righteousness, ye shall in no wise realize th 
fulfillment of these goodly promises. We do not mean tha 
brand of ' ' righteousness " ( ? ) that only makes you sin; 
loud and pray long, but just an ordinary ' ' do right ' ' spirit 
that makes you willing, even anxious, to give a man 
square deal ir business; give a day's pay for a day's work 
and a day 's work for a day 's pay ; pay your honest debts 
lead a temperate life ; and tell the truth. 



The Destiny of the American Negro. 45 

The principles of righteousness presenting themselves to 
r mind as prime factors in the process of race develop- 
mt could be sunnned up in a few terse phrases of ''do's" 
d ''don'ts." But we purpose to treat a few of the more 
tstanding features separately, for the sake of greater em- 
asis. 



CHAPTER X. 



TEMPERANCE VS. INTEMPERANCE. 
Intemperance, the scourge of the human race, the mon- 
ster serpent that entwines itself into our physical and 
mental fabric, often in t he guise of pleasure, exacting a toll 
of jTiis ery^ suffering. waii t^Dteaical.-aiL4--mentaL-(i eb a aft- , 
ment^tc, that is causing grave apprehension— even alarm 
— among thinking people everywhere, and is rocking the 
social fabric to its very foundation, so much so that the 
government has enacted laws to abolish some of these evils 
and thereby save the people from themselves, spending vast 
sums of money and energy, and creating a deal of friction 
to accomplish what temperance alone would do, much bet- 
ter, and without any friction whatever. For temperance 
teaches the total abstinence of anything detrimental to the 
human body or mind, and conservative use of our necessi- 
ties. It is only by leading temperate lives that we can 
hope to be healthy; for temperance is the Joundat^ el 
health, and health is the bulwark oi the mce. Consequent- 
ly it is^quitTapparent that the maintenance of physical 
fitness is of the most vital importance. Normal health is 

(47) 



48 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

the greatest asset of the human race, although the most 
often and most shamefully abused. 

' ' It 's often the case we abuse it by drinking ; 

And oftener still we abuse it by thinking; 

We often abuse it by abnormal greed ; 

And sometimes abuse it by stinting the feed ; 

We abuse it early and abuse it late, 

And often proceed at a terrible rate. 

Though cautioned and scolded, we seldom behave 

Till we finally land in a premature grave." 

And that at a time when having deepened in wisdom, 
and ripened in experience, we should be doing the best work 
of our lives. We venture the assertion that i ntempera nce 
. causes more ills than all other agencies combined, and the 
energy and vitality that should be ours to accomplish our 
work is used to counteract the effects of careless living. 
It should be borne in mind that the office of the stomach 
and intestinal tract is to manufacture energy from food 
and water, and emphatically is n ot the dumping g round 
for a distorted appeti te. We are in honor bound to keep 
well, because interests we cannot afford to ignore demand 
it. The state, by the organized protection afforded us, de- 
mands that we hold ourselves in readiness to answer its 
summons; the church, by the sanctity thrown around us, 
demands that we grace its edifice with clean, normal bodies ; 
and the home, by the responsibilities imposed upon us, de- 
mands the highest type of physical efficiency. For a de- 



The Destiny of the American Negro, 49 

crepit body is a poor asset to state, church, home, or 
even its possessor. 

1 Cor. 9: 25: "Every man that striveth for the 
mastery is temperate in all things." In other words, 
to properly master anything, requires temperance in 
all things, v^hich probably accounts for the vast num- 
ber of failures recorded in every line of human en- 
deavor. "Temperance in all things includes our 
thoughts and emotions. Ask your doctor about the 
effects of violent anger on the digestion. Our thoughts 
and emotions are so closely allied to our physical 
fabric that anything seriously affecting one must 
more or less affect the other. It is so imperative 
that you realize this that we present it thus. Suppose 
you discovered that your house was infested with all 
manner of foul and venemous reptiles and 
creeping things. You no doubt would speedily do 
one of two things : Rid your premises of these vermin 
or vacate. Wouldn't you? Because you would realize 
their danger and loathe their vile presence. But this 
picture, as revolting as it is, falls far short of fea- 
turing the effects of evil thoughts on the human body, 

and to the human race ; for be it understood that the 
hereditary taints apparent in children are not due to 
physical contact but to mental influence. It might be 



50 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

argued with some success that physical weakness and 
deformities are due to physical contact ; but to infer 
the same concerning mental traits is out of all rea- 
soning. 

That you might more fully understand the appall- 
ing and far-reaching effects of thoughts on unborn 
generations, we cite instances. We first call atten- 
tion to a family having two sons — one born while 
peace and harmony reigned in the home, the other 
when these had fled. The two boys were brought up 
amid exactly the same surroundings and educated 
in the same schools, yet the net result was that one 
was a brilliant success, the other a dismal failure. 

Our next investigation takes a woman of criminal 
disposition, the mother of several children, and fol- 
lows their career for seventy-five years, and find that 
during that period they had produced no less than 
seven hundred criminals; thirty-seven had been exe- 
cuted for murder. They had cost the government 
more than three million dollars for trials and execu- 
tions, to say nothing of all those that escaped the 
clutches of the law, and all the petty meanness which, 
with the greater crimes, caused untold sorrow and 
suffering to themselves and others, all on account of 
one woman's evil or intemperate thoughts. 



CHAPTER XL 



ECONOMY VS. EXTRAVAGANCE. 

A race is largely considered, or not, according to its 
ability to produce wealth. The desire for wealth has be- 
come so incessant that it has assumed the role of a dictator, 
and is driving people to illegal, dangerous, and criminal 
extremes for its attainment, thereby supporting the adage 
that ' 'wealth is a good servant but a bad master. " As a 
servant it is unexcelled, in that it provides means for sup- 
plying our physical needs — food, clothes and shelter; our 
mental requirements — books, schools and teachers for same ; 
our spiritual needs — churches and religious literature ; and 
is a prime factor in maintaining the supremacy of our gov- 
ernment. Consequently the paramount question of the na- 
tion is ''how to secure wealth," and the universal answer 
is "economy." There is, of course, a favored few who 
ride in on a train of circumstances. But economy presents 
a possible means to all men. There are very few men past 
midde age but can look back over their lives and see where 

. they have squandered the nucleus of a fortune. "Econ- 

(51) 



52 The Destiny of the American Negro, 

omy" does not necessarily mean depriving oneself of the 
necessities of life, but it does mean the use of sound judg- 
ment in utilizing to the best advantage what we have, and 
wasting nothing. Our (according to science) proneness to 
imitate often proves our undoing. For as a rule we pos- 
sess an insatiable desire to get anything we see anyone else 
with. We do not condemn the trait, but deplore the fact 
that we so often get the ''topsy-turvy" or 'Hail-first" idea; 
and, seeing a neighbor with a home, auto, fine raiment, etc., 
we proceed to annex the auto, fine raiment, etc., leaving 
the home for last, which usually means "out." 

Being to a great extent a race of laborers, we deem it 
necessary to consume large quantities of food to sustain 
our physical fitness, which may be reasonably true. But 
when, as often happens, we go to extremes, we indulge in a 
two-fold extravagance — that of buying unnecessary food, 
and of buying medicine and paying doctor's bills to coun- 
teract the effects of overeating. "For the drunkard and 
glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall cloth a 
man with rags, and poverty breeds discontent, disease, and 
crime." The average individual considers it a humiliat- 
ing proposal to be forever asked to economize, while the 
rich is squandering his millions. But, for the soundness 
of the principle, we are not to look at individual cases, but 
the source from whence this abundance came. Note the 



The Destiny of the American Negro. 53 

giant industrial corporations, making fortunes by utilizing 
material which formerly went to waste, and the creation 
of other industries for the sole purpose of utilizing scrap, 
such as paper, rags, bones, etc. But since, as a race, we 
are to build on a high order, we require a high ideal. So we 
will look further yet. Ps. 19 : 7 : ''The law of the Lord is 
perfect, converting the soul." In the event you're not 
already converted to economy, suppose we take a super- 
ficial glance at God's economic law. He even saves the 
dust of the ground. Were it not for the fact that the 
earth, by the law of gravity, attracts every particle of mat- 
ter within its radius ; the dust blown up by the wind would 
go on, never to return, and the centrifugal force of the 
earth would hurl great masses off into space, thereby in 
time depleting the entire sphere. Even the water, which, 
by the aid of the sun's rays, is able to escape the law of 
gravity, through evaporation, comes in contact with a belt 
of cool air that condenses it, making it again susceptible 
to gravitation, and it comes back to the earth in cooling 
showers. Consequently the same waters "that heard the 
voice of God in creation, when He said, let the waters 
under the heavens be gathered together in one place, and 
let the dry land appear," is still pounding the rocks and 
lapping the shores ; where he said, ' ' Hitherto shalt thou 
come, but no further, and here shall thy proud waves be 



54 The Destiny of the American Negro, 

stayed," Even tlie fragile dewdrops, sparkling like some 
rare diamond, yet vanishing under the first rays of the 
morning sun, is as old as yon mountain, which lifts its 
hoary head above the cloud. 

Carbonic acid, disengaged by decomposing vegetable and 
animal substance, and is expelled from the lungs during 
respiration, from fissures in the earth, and from all kinds 
of fuel in the course of combustion, acts as a narcotic poi- 
son when taken into the lungs. For instance, the choke 
damp in mines and wells, and in some valleys in various 
parts of the earth, such as the Upas valley, in Java, being 
uninhabitable to animal life. Instead of allowing this sub- 
stance to accumulate and menace the animal world, or ex- 
erting special divine energy to counteract the effects of it, 
our Creator simply allows the plants to absorb it from the 
atmosphere, and it forms an important part of their nour- 
ishment. Even the leaves which fall to the ground are not 
wasted ; for they rot and form a fertilizer which augments 
future growth. 

Carbonic acid in turn decomposes in the plants and is 
thrown off by them, as oxygen, and this is not wasted, for 
without it animal life could not exist. In inspiring we re- 
ceived into the lungs a quantity of oxygen. This oxygen 
is carried by the blood to the various parts of the body, 
and there deposited to do its work of tissue building. The 



The Destiny of the American Negro, 55 

deoxygenated blood returning to tlie lungs for a fresli sup- 
ply of the necessary oxygen. So, instead of exerting divine 
energy in preparing a special substance for the sustenance 
of animal life, He against proves himself a past master in 
the practice of economy, governing the forces of nature 
by an economic law far more wonderful than creation itself, 
and conserving divine energy to prepare this race and the 
world at large, by the past and present stirring events for 
the great day that is now da^vning — a day of opportunity, 
brotherhood, peace and righteousness. We believe it is 
sound advice to economize on some things, and prepare the 
boys and girls for the strenuous times ahead, for the law 
of the ''survival of the fittest" shall always predominate 
in the affairs of m^en, as it reasonably should. This, of 
course, does not refer to the primeval law which claims 
might as right ; but it does mean that the best prepared men 
shall stand on the front. So, with all of the help afforded 
him, it will still require a deal of economizing on the part 
of the Negro to raise him to the point of efficiency demand- 
ed to stand the acid test of the future. 

Still, it's no disgrace to economize, for He by whom all 
things were made, and without Him was not anything made 
that was made, Who took the lunch of one lad, and so 
manipulated it as to feed five thousand, said ( Jno. 6 : 12) : 



56 The Destiny of the American jNegro, 

** Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be 

lost/' 

* 'If you will lead a temperate life, you've fair prospects of 
health ; 

And if you will economize, you may amass some wealth; 

A fair amount of knowledge will likely get you fame, 

But ignorance and extravagance will certainly lead to 

shame." 



CHAPTER XII. 



KNOWLEDGE VS. IGNORANCE. 

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wis- 
dom ; and with all thy getting, get understanding, ^ ^e 
class knowledge among the essentials to righteous-^ 
ness, and illiteracy among the benighting elements of_ 

tr^-*— ■■——■;-■■- r^^i^^—— ■ ■ " 

sin, believing these to be the only terms sufficiently 
s^Erohg to emphasize the crying need of attaining the 
one, and eliminating the other. W e^are at a loss to 
u nderstand how anv oiue xould JaiL to appre.cjate J.he_ 
strength and_beauty of wisdom ,or the blighting in- 
fluence of ignorance; or why any sta te sho uld neglect 
to write compulsory schooMaws_onJts^ statiie^^ 
Tor it must be admitted that wisdom is power, and 
gower add s jto^Jthe jresflurces, af^n^Ljc Snimonweal th. 

It must be further admitted that a man with a fair 
amount of intelligence can give better service in any 
line of industry and coax more out of the soil by ap- 
plication of more modern farming methods. Knowl- 
edge bridges difficulties, annihilates space, conserves 
energy, creates opportunity, broadens vision, and 
opens up avenues of usefulness that are closed to il- 
literacy; gives a clearer conception of duty, and a 

(57) 



58 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

more comprehensive knowledge of the power, wisdom, 
and love of God. As an astronomer we can go with 
him out into the vast areas of space, and weigh and 
measure the planets ; describe the circuits of comets, 
stars, and satelites; and behold the wondrous forma- 
tion of constellations. As a geologist we can de- 
scend with him into the bowels of the earth, unlock 
the treasure house of his riches and display the vast 
wealth of gold, silver, fuel, ore, and precious stones. 
As a naturalist we can go with him out in the fields 

and forests, and in the cleft of rocks, and stalk the 
beasts and fowls, or dive into the sea and observe 

the antics of the finny tribe. As a botanist we can go 
with him out in the parks and gardens, or in the wilds 
of nature, and admire the grandeur of trees, and the 
beauty and sym.metry of the plants and flowers; 
while ignorance breeds superstition, and they twain 
wroth fetters which bind our feet, and limit the speed 
of our onward march to progress. They close our 
eyes to the danger of contagious and communicable 
disease. Note, for example, India, a land rich in re- 
sources, yet so wrapped in ignorance and supersti- 
tion that centuries pass without showing any im- 
provement whatever; who lost several millions of 
souls during the recent epidemic of influenza, no 
doubt mostly on account of ignorance of hygienic 
laws. Their only motive power is the ox, used for 
plowing the fields, drawing the vehicles, threshing the 



The Destiny of the American Negro. 59 

grain, and turning the mill. And, because of religious su- 
perstition, they treat him a s a privil eged charac ter ; more 
than that, they regard him as a brother; consequently he 
works, or leaves it alone, accord as he feels about it. He 
has the right of wf ^.y in thft str e ets and thoroughfares, and 
if found lying in the doorway of a shop, the native will 
not disltob him^u^^o, hia w^y:, .waiting to doJiis-^shoppdiig 
w hen his br ottieT* has fiTiishfirl .hls__nap and moved on. 

But we need not look in far-off India for ignorance and 
superstition; for right here in this enlightened country 
there are v ast hordes of my people being destroyed for tne 
lack of knqwl^dgfi^...aiidr'-g¥eatly-4iin^ered-on-uc£ouM of su- 



perstition.^ JfJl^ ^fflrfg nnt jn the morn ini^ and ^8^ rabbit, or„ 
black cat^crosses his palji ^e is incapacitated for effective 
work, or coherent thought, during the_entire day, .dread- 
ing some impending disaster. If his left eye quiver, he 
"is in an agony of fear and apprehension, accepting it as 
an evil omen ; and a thousand and one other signs exhaust 
his mental energy and retards his industrial and financial 
progress. He spends vast sums of good money with the 
astrologer, the fortune teller, and the common hoodoo, that 
could be used to better advantage furthering beneficial en- 
terprises, and educating his children. Even ministers of 
the gospel, securing ''hands" with which to influence their 
congregations. It's awful! 



60 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

We shall not attempt to take up the bludgeon against 

the occult sciences and hoodooism, and, for the sake of argu- 

I 

ment, we won't even dispute the validity of the various 
signs; we only advance the fact that even if they are real,! 
there is still a power that supersedes all of these. And, 
trusting in that power, we are enabled to banish the endless 
confusion of their daily observance. We can proceed in the 
path of duty without fear or foreboding, even if all the 
rabbits and black cats in t he vicin ity pjrade_jiaily across j 
our path. For then the eye is single and the whole body 



is full of light. 



CHAPTER XIIL 



TRUTH VS. FALSEHOOD. 

Prov. 12 : 19 : ' ' The lips of truth shall be established for- 
ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment." Truth 
and falsehood represent the two great opposing forces of 
the universe, summarizing all of the foregoing features — 
in fact, embracing every atom of human endeavor, thoughts, 
words and deeds. As a character builder, truth constitutes 
the foundation, superstructure, and spire. In fact, it is 
the sole requirement. Show me an individual, true to him- 
self, his fellow-man, and his God, and I '11 show you in the 
same person a character of the highest type, possessing the 
virtues of temperance, economy, and, in fact, all that goes 
into the make-up of the best type of progressive Christian 
citizen. If I were asked to draw an illustration of truth, 
I'd picture a stalwart figure in glittering raiment, tower- 
ing in beauty and grandeur, going forth in the greatness of 
his strength ; we would then picture jealousy, prejudice, and 
the other baser emotions, swarming around throwing mud 
on him, until he was so disguised as to be scarcely recog- 
nizable ; but when the latter rain of circumstances or op- 

(61) 



62 The Destiny of the American Negro, 

portunity for service falls, it whips off the mud of slander, 
etc., and he shines forth in his splendor, because the light 
is from within. 

By contrast we'd feature falsehood, a decrepit figure in 
a somber mantle, being perfumed and whitewashed by hy- 
pocrisy into a semblance of respectability. He then ven- 
tures into society, church, and state, inoculating all with 
his baleful influence. But a ''lying tongue is but for a 
moment ; ' ' for, little by little, the erosion of time will peel 
off his disguise, until finally he stands out in all of his 
hideousness. 

The object of drawing the two foregoing pictures was to 
furnish material for the paramount picture of the series; 
not because it is more realistic than the others, but because 
we believe and hope it will prove suggestive to the mass 
of our people, or the world at large, for that matter. It 
presents truth emerging from the ruins of falsehood, the 

somber mantle falling to the ground, the shriveled limbs 
and sunken chest assuming normal proportions, finally pre- 
senting a figure of superb manhood, suggestive of the un- 
gainly youth in training camp, emerging into a stalwart 
soldier— not necessarily going out to shed blood, but to 
wage war against sin, and beat back the power of dark- 
ness ; to battle against intemperance, immorality, prejudice, 



The Destiny of the American Negro, 63 

and the associate evils that are tearing at the vitals of our 
homes, churches and commonwealth. It might be well, 
right here, to take up the bludgeon against lying ; for while, 
in some instances, it is the most harmless of all pastimes, in 
others it is the most deadly foe in all the universe, brooding 
in its various forms the entire range of human woes. Me- 
thinks Satan keeps everybody at it, more or less, so as to 
make it second nature, thereby better enabling him to put 
over a big one once in a while. Lying is employed in every 
form of misdemeanor, from the ordinary family or neigh- 
borhood row, to the ambitious and selfish monarch claiming 
alliance with God to dupe His people and plunge nations 
into war. 

Lying is elastic in scope, insidious in character, and ter- 
rible in consequences. 

That you may more fully realize the baleful influence 
of lying, we purpose to draw for your consideration a 
similarity between a lie and a fly: First, the breeding 
ground ; flies breed in rubbish and manure ; lies, I suppose, 
breed in hell, or a disordered mind; anyhow, the devil is 
a liar and the father of it. Second, the haunts; the fly 
thrives best in filth, and were it possible to confine him 
there, he would be comparatively harmless. But from the 
filthiest places in existence, without even wiping his feet, 
he soars into our homes, walks over our food, and drinks 



f 



64 The Destiny of the American Negro, 

out of our milk. He even drags his vile and loathsome ! 
body across baby's sweet lips, spreading disease more ter- 
rible than war. So the lie ; it flourishes where wickedness 
abounds, and were it possible to confine it to the brothels, 
it would not constitute a very serious menace. But alas I 
with all of its revolting hideousness, infernal wretchedness, , 
and diabolical cunning, it invades our homes, our offices, our 
politics, and the sacred precincts of our churches, spread- 
ing woes more deadly than war and pestilence combined; \ 
for while they only kill the body, this hydra-headed monster '■ 
is doing that more effectively, and besides, is robbing us of 
our peace and contentment, and everything that makes ,! 
living worth while. So, since in the interest of health and | 
sanitation, the municipal authorities are urging screening \ 
to prevent the invasion of flies, why, in God's earth, don't : 
the preachers and teachers wage a relentless war on lies? ! 
Everyone who has had trouble and sorrow, or even seen 
or heard of suffering, should hate a lie; for remember, it 
was the instrument used by Satan to hoodwink Eve in the 
garden, bringing all these conditions in its train. In de- 
fense of our assertion that a lie is elastic in scope, we call 
attention to the fact that it may be enacted by a word, 
a thought, a deed, or even a look. Half truths are usually 
about the biggest ones ; for we once heard a man complain- 
ing of belonging to a "down-trodden" race, and, while we 



The Destiny of tlie American Negro. 65 

admit and deplore that the same was true, this particular 
man had never done anything to keep from being other- 
wise. Consequently, to my mind, his all-round worthless- 
ness robbed his statement of whatever truth it might have 
otherwise contained; for know thou, man, that whoso- 
ever maketh of himself a worm, ha.h no conceivable right 
to complain of being trod on 1 

A summary of the foregoing principles of righteousness 
as advocated in race building, presents nothing at all dras- 
tic. They are only ordinary rules of conduct that anyone 
could, and everyone should, practice. And yet, they are 
an epitome of all the teachings of the lowly Nazarene. And 
any plan to reach an envi able position _among the races 
"not based on these principles" is doomed to failure^ abso-^ 
lute, miserable jail ure ; for t hey arg^otjnily the salvation 
"of the race, but of the world. 

These simple rules, in action, should have averted the 
recent titanic struggle, and the thousands of cargoes of food 
and other supplies submarined might be feeding and other-' 
wise supplying millions of hungry and suffering people^ 
the millions of weeping widows and orphans might be sur- 
rounded with the joys and comforts of happy homes ; the 
empty sleeves and legless trousers might be full ; the sight- 
less orbs might be gazing in rapture on the beauties of art 
and nature ; the shrieks of the wounded and groans of the 



I 



66 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

dying might be peals of laughter and songs of joy. ' 1) 

**0h, Jerusalem, how I would have hovered you as a hen 
hovereth her brood, but you would not!** 



•J 



ofii '/ffio lot (gifajq xo riboni ->>-i^ ^-*- 

io({ ifio id i<CH AFTER XIV. 

IDEALS. .,„^,, , ,„p_ 

Taking for granted that we're all agreed on the advisa-^^' 
bility of right living as exemplified in the foregoing arti- 
cles, we still desire to impress joii with the fact thatno J 
individual or race ca n become_ a_^ wer without an ideal 1 1 
an d_no ideal is worthy of consideration b ut the highest. I 
We boast, and rightly so, of having made the greatest prog- 
ress of any race in history, length of time and similar con- 
ditions considered. But, even so, suppose we face the cold , :; 
nakedtriith. There is still far too much illiteracy, pov-,.r 
ertv^c rime. immorality, and di saase-aman^-ufrr^oasaqilfint:^ 
ly we ca n't afford to rest on our laurels, but must set U£_a^, 
stand ard of perfection and press on. ^ There is a saying ;r 
going the rounds that the Negro is the strongest race on 
earth, because one drop of his blood is sufficient to claim 
any human being for the race. We do not concur in the,,, 
use of this expression, realizing, as everyone must, that 
the claim of the proverbial "one drop" rests on the fact., 

that no other race on earth wants the "drop." n ao 

(67) 
P 



08 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

But there was also a stigma on the cross, it being an em- 
blem of shame, used as a mode of punishment for only the 
lowest class of criminals, until Christ immortalized it by 
His blameless life and unselfish death — so much so that 
today it is worn on our person as a jewel, kept in our homes 
as a sacred ornament, and rises from our church spires as 
an emblem of holiness, peace, and sweet communion. And 
if the Negro, in civilian life, will show the same fine quality 
of our "boys" at San Juan Hill, at Carazall, ana on 
the blood-soaked fields of France, we will rise up as a 
man and, by our strong purpose, sterling quality, and de- 
votion to duty, liurl the stigma off our name so that it will 
stand throuhout the length and breadth of the earth as a 
symbol of justice and integrity. It might be well to let 
the other races commit the crimes, for thej^ can better af- 
ford it than we. We can't even afford to harbor our own 
criminals. And it isn't a bad idea to practice segregation 
to the extent of living as far away from them as possible. 
Rev. 18 : 4 : ' ' Come out of her, my people, that ye be not 
partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her 
plagues." For these characters in a community form the 
nucleus of race riots, mob law, and violence. While we do 
not justify these lawless acts under any condition, the fact 
remains that when it rains on the unjust, it usually rains 
on the just, especially if they are living in the same vicin- 



The Destiny of the American Negro, 69 

ity. And since the progressive element is of necessity a 
fixture in the community, it remains for the "other fellow" 
to do the moving. You have no authority to say that a 
man must do right — ^that's more than God does; but you 
can show him that he is jeopardizing the safety and tran- 
quility of your home, and ask him to move on. For it_j s 
unreasonable to expect peace and prosperity in a com- 
munity that has no community ideal. Failure to see the 
necessity of an ideal is a great misfortune; setting up an 



Tdeaf and not having the moral courage to strive for its 

attainment^ is_ajerime ; the results of this weakness or neg- 
ligence to one's s elf and community is aTtrage dy^ a nd, to 

a race t hat needs to make ev erv man county is a calamity. 
Let everyone appraise himself at his real value. It is nec- 
essary, of course, that the appraisal be accurate, seeing 
there is a possibility of going to extremes either way. Gal. 
6 : 3 : " For if a man think himself to be something, when 
he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." Likewise he who 



»^ 



allows the other fellow to make himjthink^he is nothing, 
Vhen he is something, is being grossly deceived. _ 

A few years ago — say five or six — a scan of the press of 
this country showed the Negro being ''dubbed" the white 
man 's burden ; but we never saw men holding so tenaciously 
on to their burdens as during the recent exodus, some com- 
munities enacting stringent measures to curtail the opera- 



, .70 The Destiny of the American Negro, 

tion of labor agents, others going so far as to seek federal 
aid in stemming the tide. These incidents of themselves 
form a concrete acknowledgement of the Negro 's loyal serv- 

^ ice and economic value. But, dovetailed with these, is the 
fine part he played in the recent world war, both at home' 
^nd abroad. Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall, 
make you free to call for a better deal. Because we have 
given what the late war taught the world to cherish — real, 
service. All^ true^T-^atnPs^ pnmes t hrough service. C onse- 
quently an ideal of service is Avorthy of careful considera- 
tion. The business man should make his profits a second- 
ary matter in his attempt to render real service to the peo- 
ple who make his business possible. It is often the case 

\ th at Negro es accept poor service from their business men| 
on account of race affinity, when these men could render 



much better service at a fair profit to themselves. And, 

"somewhere in the misty past, t he business Negro has b een 

so crooked , and has swamped so many, enterprises, until it 

is hard, at present, to get men of small means to pool their' 

savings and invest in various lines of business, that would 
go a long way towards solving our financial problems ; for 

i we often spend money^at jthe nearest store, regardless of 
who is operating it, that we would walk a conple^r more 

, of blocks to spend, if we had pur money inyested^iiijthe 
busin^ss.,^ But the business man is not the only one who 



I 



The Destiny of th American Negro. 71 

should set up an ideal of service ; for the preach er, forget- 
ting the collection, sho uld pour out his soul for the edifica - 
tion of his peopl e, seeing to it that this same ''soul" has 
been filled with the Holy Spirit, and sound and wholesome 
doctrine. The doctor, forgetting the bill, should exert his 
medical skill to the utmost to alleviate the suffering of his 
patient. The la^^yer, forgetting his fee, should exercise his 
best legal talent to secure justice for his client. The teach- 
er, forgetting the salary, should exhibit a superabundance 
of skill and patience in developing the minds of their 
scholars and preparing them for the mental and moral bat- 
tles of life. The laborer, forgetting his wages, should put 
forth his best effort to perform his task with neatness and 
dispatch. 

' ' Forgetting ' ' is not a sug gestion th^t ^^u work f orjiath- 
liig; for, in most instances, you should exact more for 
your services than you are getting at present. But, having 
done so, give good measure, heaped up, running over, and 
the same shall be measured to you again, in an opportunity 
for further service and the consciousness of work well 
done, each striving to be the best in his line, regardless of 
color or creed ; for while there is of ten j. monopoly on rig hts 

and privileges, emphatically jtherejs^ p monopol y on man- 
KoM" and _bi:ains, and, aside from using them for our own' 

advancement, it becomes a sacred duty to hand them down 



72 The Destiny of the American Negro, 

as a legacy to our children. For strong, noble^ honest, God 
f earing men are the hope of our race . We also suggest an 
ideal of life; for no man having the right conception o^ 
life is willing to die after the short span of years allott 
to this physical frame. So, whatever we bequeath to the 
world, of wealth, or wisdom, to a great extent perpetuated 
our lives. Hippocrates and Lister still live in medicine 
and surgery; Franklin and Galvani in electricity; Michael 
Angelo and Titan in art ; Frederick Douglass and Booker T. 
Washington in statesmanship, journalism, and education; 
Paul is still preaching the gospel with more and more 
power, as men more fully realize the strength and beaut, 
of Christianity. 

Christ during his earthly ministry could reach only a few 
sufferers, in a very restricted district, daily ; but today H 
is healing and feeding His thousands, in every land an 
among all people, kindred, and tongues. And, besides 
these, there is an innumerable host of others who have 
made history, and whose lives suggest the fact that it is 
the duty of everyone to give the best that's in him, to ele- 
vate the social, moral, and commercial standard of his com- 
munity, and make the world better for having lived in it. 



I 



1 



CHAPTER XV. 



THE NEGRO'S HEART. 

Scientists declared there was no use for him to go to 

college, 
Because within his kinky head there was no room for 

knowledge ; 

That he should cease to cherish thoughts of higher 
education, 

Accepting as his share in life a menial occupation ; 
The scientists evidently had reckoned without their 
host, 

For he proved his capability to stand at any post. 
Why didn't he supinely bow to his predicted plight? 
I can't just say it must have been because his heart 
was right. 

Once when the southern white man had, perforce, to 
go to war, 

He had as his prerogative to make his will a law. 
He showed their wives and children not the least re- 
venge or strife, 

But a grim determination to protect them with his 
life. 

Was it by common standards, or accepted human 
creeds, 

(73) 



74 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

That a race considered savages would do such noble 
deeds? 

I simply ask you why he didn't kill and burn and 
blight? 

Since you're so slow, I'll answer, 'twas because his 
heart was right. 

The Huns devastated Belgium — they then invaded 
France ; 

It seemed as though Great Britain scarcely had a 
fighting chance. 

They next began to tamper with our rights upon the 
sea, 

So Mr. Wilson said, "Let's make this world safe for 

democracy." 
The sons of Erin argued they should not draft us to 
fight, 

Because in the matter of home rule we've not been 
treated right. 

But the black man of America at once leaped to 
the fore, 

Ferocious as a demon, he battled as of yore. 

He waved Old Glory in the breeze, and put the Huns 

to flight- 
Not because they'd given him justice, but because his 

heart was right. 



The Destiny of the American Negro, 75 

Now that the war is over, and the treaty has been 

signed ; 
The hope of better treatment is upmost in his mind. 
We know the hope is not in vain ; for He who sits on 

high, 

And watches the affairs of men, with never-sleeping 
eye, 

Has seen the sacrifice he made — the blood he spilled 
in France; 

Since he aspires to be a man, will see he gets a chance. 
He proved he's loyal to the core; he proved that he 
can fight. 

In every sphere by every test, he's proved his heart 
is right. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



THE HOPE OF THE RACE. 

The hope of the racejies in our ability to producje .g,0Dd 

men and women. We assert that we have at present men 
and women for whom we need acknowledge no superior, 
whose lives go a long way toward creating sentiment pro- 
ductive of good results, both for themselves and the race; 
but we also have other people who are as sorry as have ever 
lived, who are inviting the wrath of God and man on them- 
selves and others, and creating unfavorable sentiment for 
the race as a whole. So, for the sake of peace and pros- 
perity, it becomes the imperative duty of the progressive 
element, to spare no pains, conserve no energy, leave no 
stone unturned, count no cost too great; but give liberally 
of our time, our talent, our energy, and our means to any 
cause that has a tendency to increase Jhe^ggrega^e^^f 
worthy pitJzpnR ar\c\ kp.p.p t.h^Jinthers" in an ever decreas: 
ing minority. But it is a hazardous enterprise and un- 
certain of satisfactory results, to allow the lapse of years 
to precede the beginning of o ur effort at reformatio n of^ 

the individual or race as a whole ; for the process properly 
- - -— (77) 



78 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

antedates childhood, birth, or even the embryo stage, and 
takes up its foundation in a happy and contented home. 

And that demands comment dn the consummation of mar- 
riage, which, aside from our soul's salvation,, is the most 
momentous question of our lives, involving, as it does, the 
most sacred of all human relations. And yet, as 'a rule, 
it is 't'hk ihcisi'' catelfe^siy 6ontrJicted, thoughtlessly enfereil,' 
and'Sha'me'fully abused. People usually exercise far more 
care ih th6 propagation of choice species of dunib animals . 
thaii they* do of 'their own prog6riy. Tliey smply dnft^into 



I ' ! ' X L 



mai^ri^^e. Only to find, when too late, that they have drifted 
into a Condition which probably presents a fair conception 
of hfelL'^'Hoine endure it and drag out a tniserable exist- 
ence thei ^est of their lives, under conditions which beg- 
gars description ; others resort to the divorce courts for 
relief ,' of ten re-marrying and living the balance of their 
lives in adultery. Matt. 19 : 9 : ' *And I 'say urito ym! wfio-^ ' 
soeVer shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, 
and shall iharry another, committetJi adultery: and t^hosd 
marrietti her which is put away doth' e6m%it' ^adultery! **^ 
When a little timely teaching would have averted all this 
sin and sorrow, and the resulting depreciatory effect on 
future generations. *2 Cor. 6: 14: ''Be'ye'ndt'iuiecittaiiSr'^ 
yoked together with unbelievers." Deut^ 74^' 3: "Neither 
Shalt thou make marriages with them. Thy daughter thou 



The Destiny of the American Negro, 79 

Shalt iidtpv^'uito-liis'soii; nor his "daughter 'shalt thou take 
unto th;^ s6h. "* These passages forbid' the association 
and initermarriagei"' with idolaters; but since tliis is a Chris- 
tiali coiii'monwealt'h',' ' and is practically 'devoid of pagans, 
they mlist needs lose their potency, for us, were it not for 
the fact that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, 
and' is profitable foi* doctrine, for reproof," for correction, 
foi" instruction in righteousness. This b^ing so, they sug- 
gest the* fact that it'iiiiglit be well to glekn: Sri idea of our 
prospective pa^tnef^s' belief s and disbeliefe^, likes and dis- 
likes, disposition, hopes, and aspirations, arid reach deci- 
sions as to what saerifices will be made by each. For be 
it reriieriibered, thkt thi^ is, or should be- a life journey, 
and any' source of constant friction is going to produce an 
awful sore. All eriduring structures reqiiire special care 
in the 'fouridatilori! It is often the 'ca^e'Mt' nearly, or 
equally as mucli money and care is expended on the foun- 
dation as on the superstructure. Race building should be 
no exee^tiori' -^0 tliis Me. If we wotlld'gleari a thought 
froin one of , or prolD'ably the greatest race in history, note 
Gen. 2i: t: ''The Lord God of heaven, which took me from 
my father's house and from the land b! 'iriy kindred, and 
which spake unto me, arid that sware untt) tne, saying : Unto 
thy seed will I give! this land. He shall send his angel be- 
fore thee, arid thou shalt take a wife for my son from 
thence. ' * 



80 The Destiny of the American Negro, 

But now, since the Oriental custom has been abolished, 
and each individual is vested with the right of choice, it 
presents, to my mind, the standing wonder of the age — 
why this all-important topic does not come in for more se- 
rious consideration and discussion by those who have to 
do with the teaching of our young people. 

In the natural course of events, bright, healthy children 
are the product of healthy, contented parents, and in the 
outcome of these children does the hope of the race lie. 
Anything for their physical, mental, moral, or spiritual de- 
velopment should receive our careful, even serious, consid- 
eration. Any scheme for race advancement that does not 
include the child, its welfare, pleasure, and development, 
is doomed to failure, and shows its promoters as having a 
poor conception of the most dominant phase of the entire 
question. For they hold in their tiny hands the destiny 
of our race. Though the child of today, they will be the 
man of tomorrow, and will not travel by the various and 
sundry creeds and dogmas of our time, but will march by 
the chart that is in their heart ; consequently any hope that 
they should walk aright must be backed up by the assur- 
ance that they are taught aright. 

The need of mental development is so apparent to every 
one that there is small need of consuming time and space 
in its agitation. And yet, in moral and spiritual training 



The Destiny of the American Negro, 81 

more than in any other, does the hope of the race lie. 

jp Therefore the church is confronted with a problem it can 
ill afford to ignore. The church, realizing this grave re- 
sponsibility, has instituted a school — the Sunday school — 
for the specific purpose of engraving on their plastic minds 
the fundamental principles of moral and religious training, 
using as a text-book the Bible, the teachings of which must 
be the foundation of all enduring civilization. The wisdom 
of this movement is shown in the fact that the Sunday 
school has assumed a prominent position among all na- 
tions; and as an organization it has outstripped any, in 
point of universal co-operation and practical system. 

^ The writer of this article, ''bound by a limited faith in 
God, and handicapped by the color of his skin and the 
texture of his hair, ' ' saw very little to hope or strive for^ ^ ^ 
although conscious of some mental ability ; and it was only 
by reason of the broadened vision and the moral and spir- 
itual development obtained in the Sunday school, that he 
has b een enab led^ to see for himself^nd^people^ajjn 
future. It was the Sunday school that made the writing of | 
this book possible. 

But there is small need for anyone to cherish the 
idea that the Sunday school, or any other agency, will 
accomplish any phenomenal results in their life without 
their co-operation ; for we can only draw on life according 



82 The Destiny of the American Negro, 

to what we have deposited into life. As is the sowing, so 
is the reaping. 

But the church does not furnish all the requirements of 
childhood; for childhood is suggestive of play, which con- 
tributes largely toward its physical and mental growth, 
while the lack of it starves the imagination, and dwarfs the 
intellect — that is, if he submits to a monotonous existence ; 
but if, as sometimes happens, he refuses to submit to a life 
devoid of happiness, and goes out to seek pleasure accord- 
ing to his own inexperienced ideas, or such as is too con- 
veniently offered, it is sad to think of the possible results. 
A wrecked and useless life, a miserable and disgraceful 
death. For the road to pleasure leads over snares and pit- 
falls, so cunningly camouflaged as to cause the traveler to 
believe that the world is casting roses at his feet; but the 
roses often contain the thorns of disease, which lacerate 
the flesh, and the thorns of sorrow and remorse which prick 
at the vitals. The underlying pit contains the foul slime 
of misery, disgrace, and shame, which so mires the seared 
soul as to unfit him for respectable society, or even the com- 
pany into which he has fallen. He is not a fit subject for 
either time or eternity. 

It may be well to add here that these conditions embrace 
not only the young and inexperienced, but anyone not 
reared on a secure, moral foundation, or guided by the 



The Destiny of the American Negro. 83 

word and spirit of God. These conditions emphasize the 

crying need of churches and communities seeking for, and 
providing sources of wholesome amusement for their young 
people ; for while some of our young people naturally pos- 
sess a biased disposition, thousands have gone astray, with 
no other motive than seeking pleasure. 



CHAPTER XVIL 



DEMOCRACY. 

Democracy shall cover the earth as the waters cover the 
sea. The declaration of President Wilson, ''to make the 
world safe for democracy," shall never cease ringing until 
it has resounded in every nook and corner of the earth, and 
shall beat itself into the brain of all mankind. It shall 
henceforth become the slogan of nations, races, kindred, and 
tribes. Like the stone (Dan. 2: 34), it shall never stop 
rolling until every autocracy has been smashed, every crown 
crushed. The rising generation will have this same prin- 
cipal bred in the bone and enshrined in the heart. And 
any attempt to deviate would no doubt bring about wars so 
much more bloody, and devastating than the recent world 
conflict, that they would compare only as does a giant and 
pigmy. It would be futile to attempt to say whether or 
how much more blood and tears must be shed for its ac- 
complishment, but most assuredly it must triumph. For 
it is in strict conformity with the teaching of Christianity. 
"And as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow." 

As men become more and more aware of the beauty and 

(85) 



86 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

virtue of Christianity and democracy, and realize the sub- 
lime standards of peace and brotherhood contained in their 
teachings ; they will turn in disgust from the old standards 
of might as right, and the resulting bitter conflict; and 
accord each man the rights and privileges due him, under 
a clean, moral code and the constitution of the common- 
wealth, thereby assuring peace and prosperity to all. For 
the wealth consumed in conflict is ample to provide means 
to so develop our resources as to supply the essentials of 
comfort and happiness to the whole people. 

But before the world reaches this ideal, it must face and 
answer this persistent query: ''What will you do with the 
Negro ? ' ' 

It reminds us of the case of a good man who once lived 
in a community, whose sole ambition was to go about doing 
good. He was never too weary or wrapped up in his own 
afl'airs to answer a call for help, or speak a word of con- 
solation or encouragement to the bereaved or discouraged. 
He was homeless and very poor, staying first one place and 
another, wherever people would take him in. But, even so, 
he never refused to feed the hungry out of such food as 
he could get. Finally, as his fame spread abroad and the 
poor people fell in love with him and began to follow him 
from place to place, the leading people became consumed 
with jealousy, fearing lest the masses should usurp au- 



The Destiny of the American Negro, 87 

thority and set him up as a king, and decided to get rid 
of him. So they hatched out a bogus charge, hired some 
false witnesses, and brought him to trial. But after hear- 
ing the evidence in the case, the judge could find no fault 
in him, and said so; yet, seeing their insistence, and de- 
siring to remain on good terms with the people, he asked 
what they would do with him ; and they raised a great hue 
and cry, demanding that he be put to death, agreeing that 
they and their children would assume the blame and abide 
the consequences. And they actually did kill him, along 
with some thieves. But ever since, the world has looked 
askance at those people, condemned their cowardly act, and 
asked, ' ' How could you ? ' ' 

What is democracy without the Negro ? A farce, a delu- 
sion, and a snare. Why? Because in common we have 
faced a grave menace, shared a great sorrow, made a great 
sacrifice, fought a great fight, and won a great victory ; and, 
in all fairnes s, should^hare in whateye LjiLfi3avikff€S.^ajid 
prosperity th at victo^ bring s^_tha_world. It is incon- 
"ceTvabTeThat the white man, or any other man, should ask, 
or expect, the black man or any other man, to do otherwise. 
Really, t he Negro has nothing to fear but himself. Fear 
lest he has not sufficiently prepared the general mass of his 
people to take the best advantage of the opportunities 



88 The Destiny of the American Negro. 

offered. Be ye also ready, for ye know not at what hour 
opportunity may come knocking at your door. 

The incidents of the late war have proven conclusively 
that opportunity and a crisis, -like fire that burns up the 
dross, leaving the pure gold," was all the Negro needed to 
bring out his finer qualities, and prove to the world that 
he is among earth 's noblest, a man, par excellence. 

Realizing this, the several states in which he is disfran- 
chised will in all probability grant him the ballot. And, 
since the eyes of the civilized world are turned on the sad 
^HgtiLillRiissia, ^^^jer cent illiterate, ' ' it is noTlikely^ 
that he will be denied the opportunity to educate. So, 
given these opportunities, it only remains for him to make 
good. For I declare with all the intensity of my nature, 
and out of the depths of my soul— I would that I could so 
illuminate these words that they would glow in letters of 
fire: ''Negro, your destiny is in your own hands, and in 
the hand of God!'* 

So, seeing in the divine plan of God, and the natural 
course of events, the ultimate triumph of democracy, I call 
every Negro, everywhere, to contribute his share toward 
making democracy safe for the world. We hope God and 
conscience will call the other races to do the same. And 
as democracy shall take her seat on the throne of nations, 
and autocracy shall be bumped off into oblivion, a better 

MB 1 .«? 



The Destiny of the American Negro. 89 

understanding and a more congenial working basis will 
exist between the more enlightened of each race. 

Of course, it is quite true that a blind prejudice will 
always exist between the baser element of each race; for 
there are Negroes who hold it in for the white race on 
account of the wrongs committed against our ancestors in 
slavery; and there are white people who long for the old 
days, when the Negro knew ''his place;" and his place, 
as they see it, is inferiority to every race under the sun. 
Well, the world is herewith notified that the sun has for- 
ever set on that day; for inasmuch as it was the spirit of 
God upon Saul that caused him to resent the insulting pro- 
posal of Naliash, the Ammonite (1 Sam. 11: 2), so much 
so is it the spirit of God upon the Negro that causes him 
to disdain the proposal of eternal inferiority. 

For, as an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her 
young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth 
them on her wings : so the Lord alone is leading, and there 
is no strange God with Him. 

FINIS. 















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